The following describes the various stages along the path to formal legal qualifications:
Career paths
SQE preparation courses There are a range of SQE preparation courses for law and non-law graduates, including those designed for students who want to gain a master’s qualification. The courses differ in length, price and content. Pupillage Pupillage is a compulsory, year- long period of on-the-job training before qualification as a barrister. QWE QWE is a period of training that you must complete before you can qualify as a solicitor. It can be completed in up to four separate placements (eg, paralegal work or volunteering at a law clinic), taking place before, during and/or after SQE study. That said, many law firms prefer to train their future lawyers themselves via a formal training contract, meaning they’d want you to complete the two-year training period with them. Barrister
Paralegals Paralegals have traditionally worked as support staff but, in practice, many experienced paralegals do the same work as solicitors. Paralegal roles provide a good route into the profession for students and graduates, either as valuable work experience before applying for a training contract or a way to gain QWE as part of the SQE. Paralegal apprenticeships A paralegal apprentice starts their career straight from school. You receive paid on-the-job training in legal and commercial skills, and professional conduct. Solicitor apprenticeship The solicitor apprenticeship is a six-year programme of paid training, integrating a law degree, which ends in qualification as a solicitor. The entry requirements are usually five GCSEs graded 9 to 4 and three A levels (grade requirements vary), or equivalent work experience. You must pass the SQE to qualify. Graduate solicitor apprenticeship The graduate solicitor apprenticeship is open to candidates with a qualifying law degree (or equivalent qualification) and non-law graduates who’ve completed a conversion course. It can take between two to three years to complete. It works in a similar way to the traditional training contract and involves on-the- job training and preparation for the SQE assessments. For more on the different types of apprenticeship, see page 6 and read The Law Apprenticeships Guide .
GCSEs The foundation of your career and essential first step. A levels Universities and employers will likely look at your A-level grades. You don’t need to study A-level law to become a lawyer. Non-law degree You don’t have to study law at university to become a lawyer. A non-law degree can be followed by a law conversion course, or non-law specific SQE preparation course, before embarking on a Bar course or the SQE assessments. Law degree The qualifying law degree covers the seven foundations of legal knowledge: criminal, contract, land, equity and trusts, EU, public and tort law. Law conversion A law conversion course packs the key learnings of a law degree into one year (if studying full time). Bar course The mandatory stage of training to become a barrister that follows your law degree or law conversion course. There are a range of options at different law schools, serving different learning styles and budgets. SQE You’ll need: a university degree or equivalent in any subject (law or non-law); to pass the SQE1 and SQE2 exams; pass the SRA’s character and suitability assessment; and have completed two years’ QWE.
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GCSEs
A levels (or equivalent)
Non-law degree
Law degree
Paralegal apprenticeship
Law conversion
Barristers offer advice on specific legal issues and represent clients in court. Solicitor Solicitors give advice and
SQE prep and assessments
Various CILEX routes
Bar course
assistance on matters of law; they’re the first point of contact for those seeking legal advice and representation. Solicitors can also work in-house at various organisations. CILEX Lawyer A CILEX Lawyer is a qualified lawyer (although not a solicitor) who’s trained to specialise as an expert in a particular area of law. The CPQ provides three outcomes: CILEX Paralegal, CILEX Advanced Paralegal and CILEX Lawyer.
Solicitor apprenticeship (incl. SQE)
Pupillage
Graduate apprenticeship (incl. SQE)
QWE (eg, training contract)
Solicitor
Barrister
Paralegal
CILEX Lawyer
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